The Antisocial Doctors Podcast

Sonia Singh MD & Rebecca Berens MD
  • 5.0 (15)
  • Medicine

Join Dr. Rebecca Berens & Dr. Sonia Singh as they unpack viral health trends with curiosity, nuance, and compassion. No snark, no shame —just thoughtful conversations about what’s true, what’s hype, why we're drawn to it and how to find calm and clarity in the chaos of social media and online health advice.

  1. 1d ago

    Episode 21: Is Continuous Glucose Monitoring Actually Helpful?

    In this episode, we dig into the hype around continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and why they’ve suddenly become a wellness must-have. We share real patient stories that span the spectrum—from genuinely helpful use to unintended harm—and use them to explore what’s driving the trend, what people hope these devices will reveal, and where things can get confusing or stressful. We also unpack what “more data” really means in real life, why interpretation matters, and how personalization can be both empowering and risky.  00:00 Podcast Mission 01:18 CGM Patient Stories 03:38 Social Media Claims 06:24 Why CGMs Are Trending 09:59 Real Benefits And Limits 12:43 How CGMs Actually Work 16:51 Who Benefits Most 23:06 Prediabetes And Healthy Users 27:29 Normal Range Anxiety 33:19 CGMs In Eating Disorders 37:17 Silent Hypoglycemia Risk 38:19 CGM Study Extremes BMI 40:37 Biofeedback Versus Harm 43:06 CGM Harms And Overuse 44:18 Whipples Triad Proof 45:34 Normal Spikes Aren’t Disease 49:18 Psychological Burden Study 54:44 Carb Reintroduction Crashes 01:00:19 Practical CGM Use Guidance 01:07:21 Work With A Dietitian 01:08:43 Final Disclaimer To receive professional continuing education credits for listening to our episodes- visit www.theantidocialdoctors.com to subscribe. You will receive an email with each new episode including a link to the episode, a written summary, and a link to claim your CME/CEs. 📖 Read the full episode summary, sources, and resources on our Substack:  👉www.theantisocialdoctors.com

  2. Aug 27

    Episode 20: Are We Addicted To Social Media?

    In this episode, we dig into the question of whether social media can be addictive—and why this conversation is accelerating now. We start with a recent landmark legal case that put platform design features under the microscope, then zoom out to explore what “addiction” means in medicine and why behavioral addictions matter. We also share a candid moment where we put ourselves through a validated questionnaire and reflect on what it brings up for us as doctors and humans. From brain research to real-life “why can’t I stop?” experiences, we review what the evidence suggests, where it’s still messy, and why abstinence isn’t always the realistic answer. We end with practical, research-informed strategies and ways we can talk about this with patients and families. 00:00 Podcast mission intro 01:14 Social media trial sparks 06:19 Why this moment now 12:05 Defining addiction criteria 15:12 Social media addiction quiz 17:53 Behavioral addiction debate 23:57 Brain changes evidence 34:16 Harms and health impacts 38:07 Benefits and U Curve 40:05 Moderate Use and Connection 41:05 Platform Differences Matter 43:07 Withdrawal Abstinence Evidence 44:54 Tolerance and Slippery Slope 47:11 What Doctors Should Conclude 51:36 Talking With Patients 52:30 Interventions That Work 56:16 Digital Literacy and Regulation 01:00:00 Digital Detox Day Dream 01:05:53 Opt In Design and Nextdoor 01:07:02 Wrap Up and Disclaimer To receive professional continuing education credits for listening to our episodes- visit www.theantidocialdoctors.com to subscribe. You will receive an email with each new episode including a link to the episode, a written summary, and a link to claim your CME/CEs. 📖 Read the full episode summary, sources, and resources on our Substack:  👉www.theantisocialdoctors.com

  3. Aug 14

    Episode 19: Should We be Deprescribing More SSRIs?

    In this episode, we discuss the viral push to “de-prescribe” SSRIs. We outline common claims (overprescribing, lifelong use, “addiction,” inadequate withdrawal counseling, chemical-imbalance myths, and political/media narratives) and why these resonate given stigma, distrust of medicine and pharma, and negative personal stories. We review evidence-based SSRI use and typical treatment durations, note common side effects and limited long-term data, and fact check a frequently cited stat suggesting many long-term users don't need to be on meds at all. We review real “root causes” of anxiety and depression, compare effectiveness of SSRIs and psychotherapy, review lifestyle interventions and evidence for supplements, and highlight that most people with depression or anxiety receive no treatment. Sonia also shares a personal story from residency that highlights the role of bias, stigma, fear and importance of narrative in medicine as well as nuanced, compassionate counseling. 00:00 Podcast Mission 01:25 Patient Deprescribing Story 03:38 Viral Claims Breakdown 06:36 Why This Went Viral 12:27 Ideal SSRI Use 15:23 Long Term Use Data 20:22 Root Causes Explained 30:13 Evidence Based Treatments 33:35 Lifestyle Is Bidirectional 34:09 Exercise Sleep Diet Evidence 36:36 Why Just Exercise Fails 39:03 Omega-3 Supplement Reality 41:30 SAMe And Other Supplements 42:46 Nuanced Supplement Counseling 46:23 Treatment Gap And Barriers 48:51 Deprescribing Stigma Debate 51:24 Clinical Takeaways And Tools 56:07 Personal Story 01:00:45 Doctors Sharing Humanity 01:03:29 Wrap Up And Disclaimer To receive professional continuing education credits for listening to our episodes- visit www.theantidocialdoctors.com to subscribe. You will receive an email with each new episode including a link to the episode, a written summary, and a link to claim your CME/CEs. 📖 Read the full episode summary, sources, and resources on our Substack:  👉www.theantisocialdoctors.com

  4. Jul 30

    Episode 18: Is Fibermaxxing Worth It?

    In this episode, we dive into why fiber is having a viral moment on social media and what can get lost when “maxing” any nutrient becomes the goal. Using real patient stories, we review the potential downsides of going from low to high fiber too fast, the confusion created by trendy products and marketing, and why “more” isn’t always better. We also preview how we think about fiber in real life—food-first, context-aware, and focused on what’s actually practical. 00:00 Podcast mission 01:15 Why fiber maxing 01:36 Patient stories 02:58 Trend claims 04:11 Why it went viral 08:02 Nugget of truth 09:49 How much fiber 11:50 Types of fiber 16:59 Prebiotic products 21:54 Supplements that work 27:58 Too much fiber 31:32 Practical takeaways 32:45 How to counsel patients 34:03 Resources and wrap 34:21 Medical disclaimer To receive professional continuing education credits for listening to our episodes- visit www.theantidocialdoctors.com to subscribe. You will receive an email with each new episode including a link to the episode, a written summary, and a link to claim your CME/CEs. 📖 Read the full episode summary, sources, and resources on our Substack:  👉www.theantisocialdoctors.com

  5. Jul 16

    Episode 17: Should We All Be Taking Creatine?

    In this episode, we talk about why creatine is suddenly everywhere on social media and why patients are asking about it for everything from brain fog and mood to menopause and dementia prevention. We tease what the evidence actually says (and doesn’t say), why context matters, and how to think about “for whom” and “for what” before adding any supplement. We also touch on common misconceptions, practical considerations that come up in real clinic visits and lab work, and why nuanced, shame-free conversations beat hot takes and miracle-claim marketing. If you’re curious about whether creatine belongs in your routine—or just tired of confusing wellness messaging—come listen. 00:00 Podcast Intro 01:24 Why Creatine Now 03:48 Viral Claims Breakdown 05:46 Why It Went Viral 09:07 Creatine Basics Explained 10:43 How To Take Creatine 12:34 Muscle Benefits Evidence 15:33 Menopause And Bone Health 18:13 Cognition And Dementia Data 21:33 Sleep Deprivation Studies 25:56 Creatine for Depression 28:30 Why Evidence Stays Weak 31:04 Side Effects and Labs 34:15 Supplement Quality Risks 35:09 Hype and Hidden Harms 38:10 Personal Takeaways 41:01 Clinical Bottom Line 43:40 Talking to Patients 45:52 Practice Changes and Trust 49:26 Wrap Up and Disclaimer To receive professional continuing education credits for listening to our episodes- visit www.theantidocialdoctors.com to subscribe. You will receive an email with each new episode including a link to the episode, a written summary, and a link to claim your CME/CEs. 📖 Read the full episode summary, sources, and resources on our Substack:  👉www.theantisocialdoctors.com

  6. Jul 2

    Episode 16: Why Is PCOS Now Called PMOS?

    In this episode, we talk about the viral name change from PCOS to PMOS and why it’s sparking so much conversation online. We share why this shift feels validating for so many people who’ve struggled for years to get clear answers, and we unpack the kinds of confusing, oversimplified claims that flood social media around this condition. We also explore why the name change matters beyond semantics, what concerns some patients have about it, and what we wish more people understood before falling into the “cure” and “root cause” rabbit holes. 00:00 Podcast intro 01:20 Episode topic reveal 02:02 Patient diagnosis delays 03:38 Sonia personal story 07:16 Social media claims 09:36 Why it went viral 15:28 Nugget of truth 17:51 Backlash and concerns 22:11 Defining and diagnosing 22:33 Rotterdam criteria 30:09 Ruling out other causes 32:54 PCOS subtypes explained 41:34 Biomarkers and testing 46:19 CRP Inflammation Confusion 48:13 Metabolic Biomarkers Breakdown 49:21 Vitamin D Iron Testing Debate 52:38 Guidelines and Sleep Apnea Risk 54:49 Birth Control Not a Band Aid 01:01:15 Fertility Timing and REI Referral 01:03:38 Lifestyle Basics Fiber Exercise Sleep 01:08:50 Medications Metformin to GLP1s 01:16:18 Weight Stigma Habits Over Pounds 01:20:34 Who Should Manage PCOS Care 01:24:32 How to Talk to Patients 01:27:35 Resources Wrap Up Disclaimer To receive professional continuing education credits for listening to our episodes- visit www.theantidocialdoctors.com to subscribe. You will receive an email with each new episode including a link to the episode, a written summary, and a link to claim your CME/CEs. 📖 Read the full episode summary, sources, and resources on our Substack:  👉www.theantisocialdoctors.com

  7. Jun 11

    Episode 15: Do Fitness Tracking Watches & Rings Actually Make Us Healthier?

    In this episode, we explore the hype and reality behind wearables like Oura Rings, Apple Watches, Fitbits, and other fitness trackers, using real patient stories to frame the conversation. We share what the data can and can’t tell you, how accuracy varies across metrics, and why “more data” doesn’t always mean better health outcomes. We also discuss why these devices are so popular, the motivations and fears they tap into, and the potential downsides—like anxiety, perfectionism, and increased healthcare utilization. We close with how we think about these tools in clinic and how to decide whether a wearable is truly helping you. 00:00 Podcast mission 01:25 Patient stories 03:05 Wearables big claims 05:35 Why wearables took off 11:04 Nugget of truth 13:54 Accuracy and impact 14:58 Step counting science 18:24 Apple Heart Study 23:08 Heart rate variability 27:19 HRV Norms Myth 27:34 Wearables and Heart Health 30:34 Sleep Tracking Accuracy 32:30 Sleep Apnea Screening 34:40 Patient Case Sleep Apnea 37:21 Psychological Harms 40:04 Data Overload and OCD 43:27 Healthcare Utilization Risks 46:38 Trusting Symptoms Over Data 51:24 Costs and Hidden Tradeoffs 52:41 Talking to Patients 55:50 Wrap Up and Disclaimer To receive professional continuing education credits for listening to our episodes- visit www.theantidocialdoctors.com to subscribe. You will receive an email with each new episode including a link to the episode, a written summary, and a link to claim your CME/CEs. 📖 Read the full episode summary, sources, and resources on our Substack:  👉www.theantisocialdoctors.com

  8. May 28

    Episode 14: Can A Blood Test Really Detect 50+ Cancers?

    In this episode, we discuss the viral rise of multi-cancer early detection blood tests (MCEDs) that claim to screen for 50+ cancers with a single blood draw and promise peace of mind (i.e. Galleri & Cancerguard). We unpack why these tests are so compelling, what the marketing gets right (and what it leans on), and what it can feel like to navigate these conversations as patients and as primary care doctors. We also tease the key questions we think matter most—who might consider them, what happens after a “signal detected” result, and why this isn’t a simple yes/no situation in real life.  00:00 Podcast mission 01:13 Why this topic now 04:43 What these tests promise 05:50 Why it went viral 08:36 Marketing tactics 12:19 Cost and access 14:05 How the test works 18:01 Scary stats vs evidence 19:45 Does it detect cancer 21:04 Sensitivity specificity explained 23:32 Predictive value reality check 25:55 Explaining False Positives 26:41 Why It Cannot Replace Screening 28:12 Pathfinder Study Setup 31:24 Pathfinder Results Breakdown 32:40 Workup Cascade And Harms 36:00 Insurance And Downstream Costs 37:23 NHS Trial Early Signals 40:55 Guidelines And Shared Decisions 44:15 When Doctors Might Use It 49:23 Final Takeaways And Wrap 50:01 Podcast Medical Disclaimer To receive professional continuing education credits for listening to our episodes- visit www.theantidocialdoctors.com to subscribe. You will receive an email with each new episode including a link to the episode, a written summary, and a link to claim your CME/CEs. 📖 Read the full episode summary, sources, and resources on our Substack:  👉www.theantisocialdoctors.com

See All (23)

Trailer

5
out of 5
15 Ratings

About

Join Dr. Rebecca Berens & Dr. Sonia Singh as they unpack viral health trends with curiosity, nuance, and compassion. No snark, no shame —just thoughtful conversations about what’s true, what’s hype, why we're drawn to it and how to find calm and clarity in the chaos of social media and online health advice.

Information

  • Creator
    Sonia Singh MD & Rebecca Berens MD
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    23
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Antisocial Doctors Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Antisocial Doctors Podcast

You Might Also Like